I’m surprised this is the first review of an Arachnes album on Metal-Rules.com. When people speak of Italian Power Metal, most people think Rhapsody Of Fire followed closely by Vision Divine, Labyrinth or perhaps White Skull, Secret Sphere, Skylark and stuff like that. It’s a shame that not more people put Arachnes in that same category because they probably should.

A NEW DAY is the sixth album for this veteran quartet from Milan. Formed in the mid-90’s they spent several years and albums on regional specialty labels like Lucretia and Underground Symphony before getting picked up by Scarlet for a run of four solid and respected albums. A NEW DAY was recorded in 2008 but has sat in the vaults for some time until Lion Music picked it up and now the world gets a chance to hear the long-awaited album.

Arachnes fall more into the classic Metal and Progressive camp than the neo-classical speed camp although on any given song they straddle both worlds nicely. For example they do a symphonic rendition of the title track of their 2001 album PARALLEL WORLDS. Then they rip into to a quick paced, fast driving number with lots of keyboard and guitar solo interplay called ‘The Reason Of The Things’.

If anything I’d say A NEW DAY is closer to the Dream Theater camp than the Rhapsody Of Fire camp. The band still has a love affair with the 70’s. This is the first time in three studio albums the band has not done an ELP cover song! This time another 70’s band, Deep Purple, gets the cover call and a decent rendition of ‘Fireball’ finishes the album. Elsewhere a really well performed instrumental ‘Your Death’ showcase the bands absurd amount of talent.

A NEW DAY is really smooth and sophisticated and not at all frantic. The songs hum along nicely without degenerating into double-kick madness and synthesizers and piano are all over the album adding colour and texture to already well-arranged songs. The vocals of Enzo are smooth and subtle, almost understated at times but with a confident delivery. The guitars of Frank are surprisingly crunchy at times but it adds to bolster the heaviness of album. Strong songs, strong performances and some showing off on the keys and guitars are all blended nicely into a great package.

Track Listing

1. Psychedelic Trip
2. I Know the Darkness
3. Big Hearth
4. I'm Sorry
5. Into the Fog
6. Magic World
7. My Face Is Hard
8. Running in an Old Town
9. Take Your Life
10. Parallel Worlds (Orchestral Version)
11. The Reason of the Things
12. Your Death
13. Fireball